Abstract
The rheology of final molasses at temperature (T) ranging from 20 to 70degreesC was characterised with a cone and plate viscometer. The shear-thinning power law model described its flow behaviour very well. In the Arrhenius plot of log viscosity at given shear rate versus 1/T, two linear regions were apparently displayed. It showed that the viscosity is relatively more sensitive to temperature between 20 and 50degreesC. The rheological data were used to calculate pumping energy consumption, P (kW-h/t-km), an important cost parameter in the feasibility study of long distance pipeline transportation. As the molasses viscosity is inherently high at the ambient temperature of about 30degreesC, its transportation in pipeline will be in the laminar regime for an average throughput of 50 t/h using the normal pipe size range of between 5 and 24 in. For transport in the turbulent flow regime, the temperature, throughput and pipe diameter must all be high. Normally the P decreases with increasing diameter and temperature, and with decreasing throughput.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 59-63 |
Journal | INTERNATIONAL SUGAR JOURNAL |
Volume | 104 |
Issue number | 1238 |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |